Building of the Day: 234 Eighth Avenue

The BOTD is a no-frills look at interesting structures of all types and from all neighborhoods. There will be old, new, important, forgotten, public, private, good and bad. Whatever strikes our fancy. We hope you enjoy.

Address: 234 8th Avenue, corner of 3rd St.
Name: Neergaard House
Neighborhood: Park Slope
Year Built: 1913
Architectural Style: Neo-Federal
Architect: Aymar Embury
Landmarked: Yes

Why chosen: This Neo-Federal brick house stands out in a neighborhood mostly filled with brownstone and limestone row houses. It was built for Charles Neergaard, of Neergaard Pharmacy fame, designed by architect Aymar Embury, who later gained fame designing for Robert Moses in the 1930’s. Locally, he was the architect of the Mount Prospect Laboratory in Prospect Heights. He was also well known as an architect of well-to-do suburban homes on Long Island, some similar to this one. This is a side view of the house, as the foliage was too dense to get a full on photograph. It has a classic Federal entryway, with white painted columns and a fan light. This white detailing is repeated on the dormers and window frames, which are accented by the black shutters. The house has great curb appeal, and is an important part of the history of Park Slope. John W. Neergaard, grandfather of Charles, was one of the founders of the College of Pharmacy, so the Neergaard tradition of pharmacy in Brooklyn is an old one.